Expression of the p53 and nm23 Genes in Cholesteatoma

Abstract

Objective - To evaluate the roles of p53 and nm23 genes in cholesteatoma. Material and methods - The results of p53 and nm23 immunostainings were compared between 28 cholesteatoma samples and 13 control skin samples obtained from the external acoustic canal. Results - There were no correlations between p53 staining and either gender or type of cholesteatoma ( p <0.05). The mean numbers of p53 -positive cells in the unpaired cholesteatoma and skin specimens were 23.1 - 43.5 and 1 - 1.9, respectively and this difference was not statistically significant ( z =-1.531; p =0.2). The mean numbers of p53 -positive cells in the paired cholesteatoma and skin specimens were 3.8 - 6.1 and 29 - 56.9, respectively and this difference was also not statistically significant ( t =-1.078; p =0.3). Cholesteatoma showed no nm23 positivity. Conclusion - The mechanisms relating to the expression of p53 and nm23 genes are not associated with the occurrence of cholesteatoma.